The scoreboard tells you who won, but it doesn't tell you who is hurting. Student athletes today face a unique pressure cooker: the demand for academic excellence combined with the intense physical and social expectations of competitive sports. Recent data suggests 1 in 3 student athletes suffer from signifiant anxiety or depression.
Spotting the Signs
Coaches and parents often miss the early warning signs. It's not always tears. Often, it's withdrawal, a sudden drop in grades, or "overtraining"—staying late at the gym to avoid social interactions or feelings of inadequacy.
"Resilience isn't about ignoring the pain. It's about knowing when to ask for a timeout."
The Role of Institutions
Universities must move beyond having a "school counselor." We need dedicated sports psychologists integrated into the team structure. Mental conditioning should be as routine as physical conditioning. A healthy mind is the foundation of a long career.